Method and apparatus for video communication

ABSTRACT

A method for changing a communication network for video communication is provided. The method includes performing, by a user equipment (UE), video communication through a mobile communication network; searching for whether there is a wireless local area network (WLAN) accessible by the UE; displaying, if a WLAN accessible by the UE is found, the accessible WLAN; and when the displayed WLAN is selected by a user, changing a communication network for the video communication to perform the video communication through the selected WLAN.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation application of prior application Ser.No. 15/917,129, filed on Mar. 9, 2018; which is a continuationapplication of prior application Ser. No. 15/683,333, filed on Aug. 22,2017, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,961,602 on May 1, 2018; which is acontinuation application of prior application Ser. No. 15/493,974, filedon Apr. 21, 2017, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,820,202 on Nov. 14,2017; which is a continuation application of prior application Ser. No.15/466,450, filed on Mar. 22, 2017, which issued as U.S. Pat. No.9,781,667 on Oct. 3, 2017; which is a continuation application of priorapplication Ser. No. 15/331,244, filed on Oct. 21, 2016; which issued asU.S. Pat. No. 9,769,724 on Sep. 19, 2017; which is a continuationapplication of prior application Ser. No. 15/225,444, filed on Aug. 1,2016, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,609,562 on Mar. 28, 2017; which isa continuation application of prior application Ser. No. 14/808,371,filed on Jul. 24, 2015, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,413,800 on Aug.9, 2016; which is a continuation application of prior application Ser.No. 12/915,881, filed on Oct. 29, 2010, which issued as U.S. Pat. No.9,094,884 on Jul. 28, 2015; and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of a Korean patent application filed on Oct. 30, 2009 in theKorean Intellectual Property Office and assigned Serial No.10-2009-0104523, the entire disclosure of each of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to video communications, and,more particularly, to a method and apparatus of changing a communicationnetwork or a communication device for video communication during videocommunications in a user equipment (UE).

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, with the rapid development of the information society,multi-purpose terminals including various functions in addition tomerely transmitting voice, have been developed. Accordingly, a userequipment (UE) having both a function of transmitting/receiving imagedata and a function of transmitting/receiving voice has been developed.A representative multi-purpose UE is a camera phone.

When a user desires to take and keep a photograph of a certain scene ora subject required for business use, the camera phone allows the user tophotograph and store a desired scene or subject in its internal memory.Additionally, the camera phone allows the photographed image to bewirelessly transmitted to another UE, and to be output onto the screenof a personal computer (PC) when the camera phone is connected to thePC. Recently, a technology that enables the user to photograph andtransmit his/her own image in real-time to a counterpart through awireless network to perform video communication has been developed andcommercialized.

Generally, a base station (BS) in a wide-area mobile communicationnetwork has an advantage in that it has a wide service coverage fromseveral kilometers to several tens of kilometers, and has a disadvantagein that the service fee is high. In contrast, an access point (AP) of awireless local area network (WLAN) as described in the IEEE 802.11protocol has advantages in that it provides a data rate higher than thatof the wide-area mobile communication network, and low service fees.However, the WLAN has a disadvantage in that the service coverage of anAP is limited to several tens of meters.

Therefore, it is necessary to develop a method for performing videocommunication through the most appropriate communication networkdepending on the location of a UE when video communication is performedusing the UE.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve theabove-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art. The presentinvention provides a video communication method and apparatus forenabling a user equipment (UE) to perform video communication through awireless local area network (WLAN) when the UE moves into an area inwhich the UE can access the WLAN during the video communication usingthe UE, and enabling the UE to perform video communication through amobile communication network when the UE leaves the area of the WLANduring the video communication through the WLAN. Further, the presentinvention provides a video communication method and apparatus forenabling a communication device to be changed to anothervideo-communication-capable device or enabling video communication to beperformed through a device connected to a home network, during the videocommunication.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method forchanging a communication network for video communication is provided.The method includes performing, by a UE, video communication through amobile communication network; searching for whether there is a WLANaccessible by the UE; displaying, if a WLAN accessible by the UE isfound, the accessible WLAN; and when the displayed WLAN is selected by auser, changing a communication network for the video communication toperform the video communication through the selected WLAN.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a UE forchanging a communication network for video communication is provided.The UE includes a mobile communication unit for performing wirelesscommunication through a mobile communication network; a display unit foroutputting various display data generated in the UE; an input unit forreceiving an input from a user; a camera unit for photographing an imagein real-time during the video communication, the camera unit including acamera; a storage unit for storing various information required forcontrolling an operation of the UE; and a control unit for controlling ageneral operation of the UE, searching for whether there is anaccessible WLAN during communication through the mobile communicationnetwork, displaying, if an accessible WLAN is found, the accessibleWLAN, and changing a communication network for the video communication,when the displayed WLAN is selected by the user, to perform the videocommunication through the selected WLAN.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more apparent from the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating a situation where a userequipment (UE) moves from a 3^(rd) generation (3G) mobile communicationnetwork to a wireless local area network (WLAN) according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a UE,according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a communication networkchange operation from a 3G mobile communication network to a WLAN duringvideo communication of a UE according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example in which a UE displays WLANs on itsscreen when detecting the WLANs during video communication according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a communication devicechange operation during video communication of a UE, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example in which a UE displays avideo-communication-capable device on the screen thereof when detectingthe video-communication-capable device during video communicationaccording to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a communication networkchange operation of a UE from a WLAN to a mobile communication networkduring video communication according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An apparatus and method according to an embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.Additionally, various specific definitions found in the followingdescription, such as specific components and so on, are provided only tohelp with the general understanding of the present invention, and it isapparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can beimplemented without such definitions. Further, in the followingdescription of the present invention, a detailed description of knownfunctions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when itmay make the subject matter of the present invention unclear.

The present invention provides a method for enabling a user equipment(UE) to use both a wide-area 3^(rd) generation (3G) mobile communicationnetwork and a wireless local area network (WLAN) during videocommunication to compensate for the disadvantages of the wide-areacommunication network and WLAN and to provide advantages thereof.According to an embodiment of the present invention, when a UE in videocommunication moves to a WLAN service area (a “hotspot”), a verticalhandover is performed from a base station (BS) of a wide-area mobilecommunication network to an access point (AP) of the hotspot, so thatthe UE can continuously perform the video communication in the hotspot.Also, when a UE is no longer within an area of a WLAN during videocommunication using the WLAN, the UE performs a handover to the mobilecommunication network to perform the video communication through themobile communication network again.

Also, the present invention provides a method for changing a videocommunication device with another video communication device duringvideo communication.

FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating a situation where a UE movesbetween a 3G mobile communication network and a WLAN, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, when a UE 105 is located outside a hotspot coveragearea, the UE 105 performs video communication with another UE through aBS 101 of a wide-area 3G mobile communication network (i.e., corenetwork) 104, a radio network controller (RNC) (not shown), and a mobileswitching center (MSC) (not shown). In contrast, when the UE 105 movesand is located within the hotspot coverage area, the UE 105 can performvideo communication using a WLAN through an AP. That is, the UE 105 canperform video communication with another UE, which has been connected tothe 3G mobile communication network, through paths PATH1, MSC, RNC, andBS of the 3G mobile communication network connected with the Internet103 via a WLAN. Also, the UE 105 can transmit video communication datato an electronic device connected through a home network, which is basedon the digital living network alliance (DLNA) standard, and performvideo communication through the electronic device. That is, the user canperform video communication through an indoor electronic device which isconnected with the UE 150 through a home network.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a UEaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the UE 105 includes a mobile communication unit205, an input unit 202, a storage unit 204, a camera unit 207, a displayunit 203, a WLAN communication unit 206, and a control unit 201.

The mobile communication unit 205 enables the UE 105 to perform wirelesscommunication through a mobile communication network. The mobilecommunication unit 205 includes an RF transmitter (not shown) forup-converting a frequency of a signal to be transmitted and amplifyingthe up-converted signal, and an RF receiver (not shown) for low-noiseamplifying a received signal and down-converting a frequency of thelow-noise amplified signal.

The display unit 203 may be constructed with a liquid crystal display(LCD), and displays various display data generated in the UE 105. Whenthe LCD is implemented in a touch screen type, the display unit 230 mayoperate as an input means. According to an embodiment of the presentinvention, when a WLAN, which the UE 105 can access, is found duringvideo communication through a mobile communication network, the displayunit 203 may display information for notifying the user of the foundWLAN. Additionally, the display unit 203 may display a mobilecommunication network accessible by the UE 105 when the signal strengthof a WLAN becomes weak during video communication through the WLAN, ormay display information for notifying the user of a device capable ofperforming video communication in response to the request of the userwhen there is a device capable of performing video communication.

The input unit 202 includes keys for inputting numeric and textinformation, and function keys for setting various functions, and sensesan input by the user.

The camera unit 207 includes at least one camera, and photographs animage. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the cameraunit 207 controls the camera and photographs an image in real-time whenthe UE enters a video communication mode under the control of thecontrol unit 201 to be described later.

The storage unit 204 may be configured by a program memory and a datamemory, and stores various information required for controlling theoperation of the UE 105. According to an embodiment of the presentinvention, the storage unit 204 may store information, such as a timeinterval for searching for a WLAN during video communication through the3G mobile communication network, and may store information onpredetermined video-communication-capable devices.

The WLAN communication unit 206 performs WLAN communication through anAP by means of a WLAN.

The control unit 201 controls the general operation of the UE 105.According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit201 allows the UE to perform video communication through a mobilecommunication network, searches for whether or not there is a WLANcurrently accessible by the UE at every predetermined interval, displaysthe accessible WLAN through the display unit 203 when one is found, andcontrols video communication to be performed through the displayed WLANusing the WLAN communication unit 206 when the displayed WLAN isselected by the user through the input unit 202.

Also, the control unit 201 performs a control operation to perform videocommunication through a WLAN, to measure the received signal strengthindication (RSSI) of a signal transmitted/received through the WLAN atevery predetermined interval, to display one or more mobilecommunication networks accessible by the UE 105 through the display unit203 when the RSSI becomes lower than a preset threshold value, and toperform the video communication through a selected mobile communicationnetwork using the mobile communication unit 205 when one of thedisplayed mobile communication networks is selected by the user.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a communication networkchange operation from a 3G mobile communication network to a WLAN duringvideo communication of a UE, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. Referring to FIG. 3, when the UE 105 performs videocommunication though a mobile communication network in step 301, the UE105 searches for a WLAN, which the UE 105 can access, at everypredetermined interval in step 302.

In step 302, the UE 105 periodically performs a search for a WLAN.Explaining the WLAN search operation in more detail, the UE 105 may beset to perform the WLAN search operation, regardless of the location ofthe UE 105. In this case, the UE 105 continuously searches for a WLANsignal at preset periods to perform a search for an accessible WLAN AP.

Also, the UE 105 may be set to perform a search for a WLAN AP only in acase in which the UE 105 is located in a preset position. In such ascheme, the location information of the UE 105 is to be continuously orperiodically identified through either a GPS module installed in the UE105 or through a base station which performs communication with the UE105, and to perform a WLAN search when the UE 105 enters a preset area.Meanwhile, the UE 105 may be set to perform a WLAN search at presetperiods when the UE 105 continuously stays in the preset area.

Additionally, the UE 105 may store access information when the UE 105accesses a WLAN, and may be set to perform an access to an AP includedin previous access history of the UE 105 when a WLAN is searched and theAP included in the previous access history exists. Also, the UE 105 maybe set to search for only an AP included in previous access history ofthe UE 105 when a WLAN is searched.

Generally, the WLAN hotspot area is smaller than the service coverage ofthe entire wide-area mobile communication network, which may varydepending on area characteristics. Accordingly, the WLAN search intervalof the UE 105 may be set appropriately according to the circumstancesand location of the UE 105. Meanwhile, a BS 101 in a wide-area mobilecommunication network, which includes a hotspot, may notify the UE 105that a hotspot area usable by the UE 105 exists in the service coverageof the BS 101. In this case, the UE 105 may be set to periodicallyperform a search for finding a hotspot only when the UE 105 has receivedinformation that a hotspot area usable by the UE 105 exists in theservice coverage of the BS 101 from the BS 101.

In step 303, the UE 105 determines if there is a WLAN accessible by theUE 105 as a result of the search. When it is determined that there is noWLAN accessible by the UE 105 in step 303, the UE 105 proceeds to step307. When the video communication is not terminated in step 307, the UE105 proceeds to step 301, in which the UE 105 continues to perform thevideo communication through the 3G mobile communication network.

In contrast, when it is determined that there is a WLAN accessible bythe UE 105 in step 303, the UE 105 proceeds to step 304, in which the UE105 displays the WLAN accessible by the UE 105. In this case, when aplurality of WLANs is detected, a user interface for enabling the userto select a desired WLAN (i.e., an AP) among the plurality of WLANs isdisplayed. FIG. 4 is a view showing an example in which a UE displaysWLANs on the screen thereof when detecting the WLANs during videocommunication according to an embodiment of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 4, when finding WLANs accessible by the UE 105 duringvideo communication, the UE 105 may provide the types and signalintensities of the found WLANs through the screen thereof.

Next, in step 305, the UE 105 determines if an accessible WLAN isselected by the user. When it is determined that no WLAN is selected bythe user (e.g., when the user cancels the selection) in step 305, the UE105 proceeds to step 307. When the UE 105 continues to be incommunication in step 307, the UE 105 proceeds to step 301, in which theUE 105 continues to perform the video communication.

When the user selects a WLAN to access through a displayed screen, asshown in FIG. 4, in step 305, the UE 105 proceeds to step 306, in whichthe UE 105 activates the selected WLAN and connects the videocommunication to the selected WLAN. In this case, when access to theWLAN requires an input of personal information, the personal informationmay be input in the form of a popup window on the video communicationscreen so that the UE 105 can access the WLAN. When a network change isgenerated to perform the video communication through the WLAN, asdescribed above, the transmission path of video communication data ofthe user is changed such that the video communication data istransferred to the Internet through the WLAN and is transferred to anMSC and RNC of the mobile communication network through the Internet. Incontrast, a network change is generated such that the videocommunication data of a counterpart UE is transferred to the Internetfrom the mobile communication network including the RNC and MSC and isthen transferred to the corresponding WLAN through the Internet. Inaddition, the UE 105 is allocated an IP for performing communicationthrough the WLAN, and performs a change operation such that the UE 105can transmit/receive video communication data, which has beentransmitted/received through the mobile communication network, throughthe WLAN.

In step 308, the UE 105 performs video communication through theselected WLAN. If the video communication is terminated in step 309, theoperation ends, and, if not, the UE 105 continues to perform steps 308and 309 of performing the video communication.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a communication devicechange operation during video communication of a UE, according to anembodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 5 illustratesthe steps of a communication device change operation to another devicecapable of performing video communication while video communication isbeing performed through either a WLAN or through a mobile communicationnetwork in an area, such as a home or office, where the WLAN isaccessible. According to the present invention, while performing videocommunication, the UE can transmit video communication data to anelectronic device connected through a home network, which is based onthe DLNA standard so that the user can perform the video communicationthrough the electronic device.

Additionally, there may be a separate server or controller connected tothe WLAN for control operations, such as searching for information onvideo-communication-capable devices, changing an IP, etc. Additionally,when a home network is configured, the UE may perform operations, suchas searching for information on devices capable of performing videocommunication through a server of the home network, storing theinformation, changing an IP, and the like.

Moreover, when a video communication device is changed to an anotherdevice connected to a mobile communication network, the videocommunication device may be changed to a preset othervideo-communication-capable device which has been set by the user inadvance.

Referring to FIG. 5, first, when the UE 105 performs video communicationin step 501, the UE 105 determines if the UE 105 receives an input for avideo communication device change from the user in step 502. When it isdetermined that the UE 105 did not receive an input for a videocommunication device change in step 502, the UE 105 proceeds to step507. When the video communication is not terminated in step 507, the UE105 proceeds to step 501, in which the UE 105 continues to perform thevideo communication.

In contrast, when it is determined that the UE 105 receives an input fora video communication device change in step 502, the UE 105 proceeds tostep 503, in which the UE 105 searches for a video-communication-capabledevice. In this case, the UE 105 may perform the search for avideo-communication-capable device through the use of a separate serveror controller in order to search for a device to perform videocommunication through a WLAN, as described above. Also, the server orthe UE 105 may store information on video-communication-capable devicesin advance, and search the stored devices for a connectable devicecurrently connected to a WLAN AP. Also, in order to search for a deviceto perform video communication through a mobile communication network,the UE 105 determines if there is a device capable of videocommunication through a mobile communication network which isestablished by the user in advance.

In step 504, the UE 105 determines if there is avideo-communication-capable device as a result of the search. When it isdetermined that there is no video-communication-capable device in step504, the UE 105 proceeds to step 507. When the video communication isnot terminated in step 507, the UE 105 proceeds to step 501, in whichthe UE 105 continues to perform the video communication.

In contrast, when it is determined that there is avideo-communication-capable device in step 504, the UE 105 proceeds tostep 505, in which the UE 105 displays the video-communication-capabledevice. FIG. 6 is a view showing an example in which a UE displays avideo-communication-capable device on its screen when detecting thevideo-communication-capable device during video communication. As shownin FIG. 6, when finding a video-communication-capable device, the UE 105may provide basic information, such as the type and name of the founddevice, through the screen of the UE 105.

Next, in step 506, the UE 105 determines if thevideo-communication-capable device is selected by the user for switchingof the video communication. When it is determined that thevideo-communication-capable device is not selected (e.g., when the usercancels the selection), the UE 105 proceeds to step 507. When the UE 105continues to be in communication in step 507, the UE 105 proceeds tostep 501, in which the UE 105 continues to perform the videocommunication.

In contrast, when it is determined that the user selects thevideo-communication-capable device through the screen shown in FIG. 6 instep 506, the UE 105 proceeds to step 508, in which the UE 105 performsa video communication device change operation so that the videocommunication can be performed through the selected device. Also, in thecase of a UE connected with a home network, the original UE havingperformed video communication may transmit video communication data toanother electronic device connected with the home network to perform thevideo communication using the other electronic device. In this case, theUE functions as a gateway for video communication.

If the video communication is terminated in step 509, the operationends, and if not, the UE 105 continues to perform steps 508 ofperforming the video communication.

The operation of changing video communication devices as described abovemay be performed simultaneously with a change of communication networkfor video communication. For example, when the user enters a home whileperforming video communication through a mobile communication networkusing his/her own UE outside the house, the user can change thecommunication network for video communication to an indoor WLAN, andchange the video communication device to another device, such as a TV,connected to the WLAN or home network, thereby continuously performingthe video communication.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a communication networkchange operation from a WLAN to a mobile communication network duringvideo communication of a UE according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. Referring to FIG. 7, first, when the UE performs videocommunication though a WLAN in step 701, the UE measures a signalstrength of the WLAN at every predetermined interval in step 702.

Next, in step 703, the UE determines if the signal strength measured instep 702 is less than a preset threshold value. Such a signal strengthmay be measured through the use of a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) orRSSI. When the measured signal strength is not less than the presetthreshold value as a result of the determination, the UE performs step707, in which the UE determines if the video communication isterminated. When the video communication is not terminated, the UEperforms step 701, in which the UE continuously performs the videocommunication through the 3G mobile communication network.

In contrast, when it is determined in step 703 that the measured signalstrength is less than a preset threshold value, the UE performs step704, in which the UE displays a mobile communication network which iscurrently accessible by the UE performing the video communication. Inthis case, a user interface for checking an access to the accessiblemobile communication network is displayed.

In step 705, the UE determines if an accessible mobile communicationnetwork is selected by the user. When it is determined that the mobilecommunication network is not selected by the user (e.g., when the usercancels the selection) in step 705, the UE performs step 707. When it isdetermined in step 707 that the UE continues to be in communication, theUE performs step 701, in which the UE continues to perform the videocommunication.

When the user selects a mobile communication network to be accessed bythe UE in step 705, the UE performs step 706, in which the UE changesthe communication network for the video communication to the selectedmobile communication network. When the change to perform videocommunication through a mobile communication network, as describedabove, is made, the route of video communication datatransmitted/received through the WLAN is changed to betransmitted/received through an MSC and RNC of the mobile communicationnetwork.

Next, in step 708, the UE performs video communication through theselected mobile communication network. If the video communication isterminated in step 709, the operation ends, and, if not, the UEcontinues to perform steps 708 of performing the video communication.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when a UE movesinto a WLAN-accessible area during video communication using the UE, theUE can perform the video communication through the WLAN, so that theuser can perform video communication using the most appropriatecommunication network according to the location of the moving UE duringthe video communication.

Accordingly, in the course of performing video communication using a UEin the outside, when the user moves into a hotspot, such as a home oroffice, where a WLAN AP exists, the user can perform the videocommunication through a WLAN, which is lower-priced. Also, since thevideo communication can be switched to anothervideo-communication-capable device (e.g., an internet protocol (IP)television (TV), a home telephone, etc.), it is possible to implementvideo communication regardless of place and device. In addition,conversely, even if the user moves to the outside in the course ofperforming video communication through a WLAN in the house, acommunication network for the video communication is changed to themobile communication network, and a communication device is changed tothe UE, so that it is possible to continuously perform the videocommunication.

The operation and construction of the video communication method andapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, can beimplemented as described above. While the invention has been shown anddescribed with reference to certain embodiments thereof, it will beunderstood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form anddetails may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device for performing video communication, the electronic device comprising: a memory storing instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to at least: control to perform, through a communication interface of the electronic device, the video communication with an external device, control to identify at least one video communication device capable of performing the video communication with the external device while performing the video communication with the external device, while performing the video communication with the external device, control to display, on a touchscreen of the electronic device, the identified at least one video communication device capable of performing the video communications with the external device, control to obtain a touch input, via the touch screen, for selecting one of the at least one video communication device displayed on the touch screen, and based on one of the at least one video communication device being selected, control to initiate an operation to change a device for the video communication from the electronic device to the selected video communication device while performing the video communication with the external device.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: a camera to obtain an image during the video communication.
 3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to control to display, on the touch screen, a video image of the video communications being performed with the external device.
 4. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to control to perform the video communication with the external device by sending video communication data towards the external device through the communication interface and by receiving video communication data originating from the external device through the communication interface, and wherein the video communication data sent towards the external device includes a video image obtained through the camera of the electronic device.
 5. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to control to display at least one user interface item together with the video image of the video communication being performed with the external device, the at least one user interface item respectively correspond to the identified at least one video communication device.
 6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein each of the displayed at least one user interface item includes type information and name for a corresponding video communication device.
 7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the memory stores information of the at least one electronic device capable of performing the video communications with the external device.
 8. A method for performing video communication by an electronic device, the method comprising: performing, through a communication interface of the electronic device, the video communication with an external device, while performing the video communication with the external device, identifying at least one video communication device capable of performing the video communication with the external device, while performing the video communication with the external device, displaying, on a touchscreen of the electronic device, the identified at least one video communication device capable of performing the video communications with the external device, obtaining a user touch input, via the touch screen, for selecting one of the at least one video communication device displayed on the touch screen, and based on one of the at least one video communication device being selected, initiating an operation to change a device for the video communication from the electronic device to the selected video communication device while performing the video communication with the external device.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the performing the video communication with the external device comprises sending video communication data towards the external device through the communication interface and receiving video communication data originating from the external device through the communication interface, and wherein the video communication data sent towards the external device includes a video image obtained through a camera of the electronic device.
 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: displaying a video image of the video communication being performed with the external device.
 11. The method of claim 8, further comprising: displaying at least one user interface item together with the video image of the video communication being performed with the external device, wherein the at least one user interface item respectively correspond to the identified at least one video communication device.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein each of the displayed at least one user interface item includes type information and name for a corresponding video communication device.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein information of the at least one electronic device capable of performing the video communications with the external device.
 14. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium with instructions stored thereon, the instructions executable by a processor of an electronic device for performing a video communication to cause the processor to at least: control to perform, through a communication interface of the electronic device, the video communication with an external device, control to identify at least one video communication device capable of performing the video communication with the external device while performing the video communication with the external device, while performing the video communication with the external device, control to display, on a touchscreen of the electronic device, the identified at least one video communication device capable of performing the video communications with the external device, control to obtain a touch input, via the touch screen, for selecting one of the at least one video communication device displayed on the touch screen, and based on one of the at least one video communication device being selected, control to initiate an operation to change a device for the video communication from the electronic device to the selected video communication device while performing the video communication with the external device. 